St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-03-24
Something About the Men Who Will Run
Things Under the Interstate
Commerce Law.
Probability That All the Nominees Will
Accept-Judge Cooley to be
the Chairman.
A Report of What 1t is Proposed
TO Do With the Duluth
Road.
Marvel, of the Manitoba, Declines to
Give Any Opinion on the
Subject.
Special 10 the Globe.


ment of the interstate commerce commits
sion, and at least two of the presidents
appointeeS, MesSrS. SchOOnmaker, of New
York, and Walker, of Vermont, were not
even mentioned in connection with these
places. In fact the latter was not selected
until yesterday, when Senator Edmunds, of
Vermont, called at the White house and
suggested Mr.. Walker to tn president. |
is supposed that as soon as the president
found it practically impossible to get a
suitable Republican from Massachusetts,,
he sent for Senator Edmunds, who imme-
diately put his former law pupil in nomina-
tion. The president had grown weary of
trying to construct satisfactory commits
sion. and he was thankful for even the re-
lief afforded by the senator from Vermont.
Even greater than the surprise Occasloned
by the selection of an unknown gentleman
from Vermont was the disappointment of
Democrats generally, that Republican had
been chosen for the long term and Mr.
Morrison given second place. The explain
alton at the White house was that Judge
Cooley made such a sacrifice to accept a
place on the commission that it was the
least the president could do to name him
first. His position on the list does not con-
stitute him chairman of the commission, nor
has the president any power under the law
to designate that officer. The commission
will select its own chairman. With three
Democrats and two Republicans on the
commission. it may naturally be supposed
that the chairman will be a Democrat, and
the most likely Democrat is. of course, Col.
Morrison. Mr.. Shoemaker and Mr.
Walker have not yet accepted. but the
president has no doubt that they will ac-
cept The different lengths of time for
which the various members have been ap-
pointed are in accordance with the law.
One vacancy will occur and one new men,
ber will be appointed every year. One
clause in the law makes the appointment of
the commission date from Jan. 1887. so
that at the present time there is pretty
nearly three months salary due to the five
gentlemen whose names are now made pub
is 81. 500 year. AS Mr. Bragg's term will
expire at the close af the year 1883, his
successor will be appointed during Mr.
Cleveland's present term. The president,
however,
HAS ABSOLUTE POWER
of removal and appointment at any time.
The graveSt and most fundamental ques-
tiOnS have arisen under the law, and upon
these it is of the utmost importance that
the commission should clearly define its
| position before proceeding with it's work.
Two members Of the commission. at least,
have probably, as yet given very little at
ton to those questions. The questions re-
ferreG to are of the most radical character.
In the first place. it is disputed whether the
law applies to shipments made from one
point to another within a state, or only to
those from one state to another. The
clauses ''under like circumstances and con-
ditions." in reference to long and short
hauls, and other phrases used in the act,
and the provisions made by it are so vari-
ously interpreted by constitutional lawyers,
that one construction would reduce the
effects of the new law to the most unim-
portant character, while another would lead
to a complete reversal of commercial con-
ditions and transportation methods, and
affect every branch of trade and every
interest throughout the United States.
While it is generally believed
that the commission is so con-
sttuted as to secure conservative
ruling on these points. it is
conceded that many points of vast i'm
portance are in doubt. Information has
been received that thousands of commune
cations, queries, complaints, etc., are ready
! to pour in upon the commission whenever
| it is ready to receive them. A gentleman
| we'll qualified to speak, recently told the
| president that a house full of such docu-
mentS was ready for mailing. Commits
sioner W. r. Morrison, the only member
of the board in the city at present, said to-
day that he was personally gratiied at his
appointment, and womld accept. He
knew nothing about any one else but an
ticipated the president would not have ap-
| pointed them without first knowing that
| they desired the positions. None of them,
Mir. Morrison thought, were in the city. but
he should expect them to meet and organ
iZe before the end of the week, as the law
goes into effect in few days from now.
AS to whether the commission meets with
general approval of not, Mr.. Morrison was
also unable to say. For himself. he did
not know the appointees, and was not pre-
pared to say whether they would prove
efficient or otherwise. Senator Edmunds,
| the
| SPONSOR FOR MIR. WALKER,
| when questioned concerning him this after
| noon, Said
Il know the man thoroughly. He Is about
40 years old, and was born IN Rutland county.
| His father was an eminent clergyman-de-
cidedly eminent. Walker, the newly ap-
pointed commissioner, graduated at Middle
At the outbreak of the Rebellion he left me
to enter the army. He went from my office
! II hink before he had completed his studies.
| He went 70 the war, think, as a lieutenant.
though he may have been a private, and he
served clear through the war. He was in the
| Eleventh volunteers, the largest regiment of
| the state. 1t was organized as an artillery
| regiment, and for time was stationed in one
| of the forts here for the defense of Washing
| ton. The regiment was changed to infantry
and Mr.. Walker served through the long cam
! paignS and heated battles with distinguished
| gallantry. He rose by his own merit to be a
| lieutenant colonel, and was mustered out as
| such. After the war he entered law firm
in New York. He remained there two or
three years, and then returned to his native
county where he has practiced ever since
! with great distinction. He was a state SEN
| ator, L think, from 1882 to 1884. In the state
| senate he won distinction in respect of these
railroad problems. He was member of the
! judiciary committee. Mr.. Walker is man OF
extraordinary ability, fine scholar, man OF
| literary attachments, and is honest all the
way through-a strong man in every re-
| spect."
The composition of the commission as
general thing. seems to give satisfaction.
Some of the Republicans object to the ap-
polntment of Judge Cooley as one of the
representatives of their party. saying that
he has not been in accord with the Repub-
lican party FOR some years. But as rule,
the selection of Judge Cooley is highly com.
mended by leading men of both parties
Southern Democrats generally express sat
Iisfaction at the selection of w. l.. Bragg.
He was cordially indorsed for the place BY
many Of the southern congressman. AS q
railroad commissioner for the state of Ala
bama. Mr.. Bragg administered the office sc
as to win the confidence Of the people he
served. When the bill was pending in the
senate Mr.. Cullom wrote to the different
] state commissioners
ASKING FOR INFORMATION